Mint employee allegedly smuggles $180K in gold up rectum

Lawrence set off the metal detectors at work more than once, but security could never find anything on him. (KTRK)

KTRK

Thursday, September 22, 2016

CANADA --

An employee at the Royal Canadian Mint was accused of smuggling $180,000 worth of gold in his rectum.

Authorities said Lester Lawrence transported several cookie-sized gold pieces called "pucks" out of the mint and sold them to a gold buyer. His dealings allegedly netted him almost $180,000 over the course of a few months.

Although the prosecution couldn't definitively identify the pucks Lawrence sold, they said they matched an exclusive mold the mint used.

Investigators said they found Vaseline in Lawrence's work locker.

During testimony it was revealed that Lawrence set off the metal detectors at work more than other employees, but security never found anything on him.

A security member then tested the idea that the pucks could be concealed in an anal cavity and not be detected by the wand.

Lawrence was charged with five criminal offences, including possession of property obtained by crime and theft over $5,000. He was also fired from the mint.

CTV reported that the court would not reach a decision in the case until November, but the defense claimed the mint wasn't sure any of their gold was missing.